SERVING SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS IN THE LAKE UNION SINCE 1908 JUNE/JULY 2021 The GOSPEL & MENTAL H EA LT H Are we losing our minds? INSIDE ILLINOISILLINOIS MEMBERS FOCUS IN THIS ISSUE ONLINE NEWS Lake Union president Maurice Valentine was elected North America Division (NAD) vice president for Media Liaison, effective June 1. In this role, he’ll oversee the Division’s media entities, including Breath of Life, Faith for Today, It Is Written and Voice of Prophecy. The challenges of the last year have dis- Zack Payne was named Youth director rupted our lives in ways we could have never for Wisconsin Conference. Ministering imagined. At the end of 2020, the Gallop in Wisconsin Conference since 2012, he organization released a study indicating that most recently served as senior pastor Americans’ assessment of their mental health of Wisconsin’s Southeastern Network of is worse than it has been at any point in the Seventh-day Adventist Churches (WISEN) in Racine and Kenosha counties. last two decades. This comes as no surprise. You only have to turn on the news to witness the stressors: pandemic, social unrest, poverty, political After evaluation of current state health polarization, gender dysphoria, and the list department policies regarding COVID-19, it goes on. Where can we find help? was unanimously decided to postpone the Studies indicate that 25 percent of those 2021 Lake Union Camporee. A full refund seeking help will go to a spiritual leader before will be returned to those who already have purchased 2021 tickets unless a written going to a mental health professional because request is made to rollover tickets to the they think they’re more approachable. This 2022 camporee. fact bears out why our churches can help fill gaps left by the public and private sector. While we may not all know the medical side, Indiana pastor and physician, David it’s in our DNA to show care for people who DeRose, shares how he struggled about are ill. whether or not to get one of the new As you read through this issue, maybe you’ll mRNA vaccines, but he does far more than find solutions to making our churches reflect that: he provides insights into five common a place of healing. Drop us a line and let us myths. You can watch this and other videos on his YouTube channel, Compass Health know what you think. P Consulting. Download Get the latest Debbie Michel the Herald to news to your Director of Communication your mobile email inbox device! each week. Visit LakeUnionHerald.org NEWS CONTENTSTELLING THE STORIES OF WHAT GOD IS DOING IN THE LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE PERSPECTIVES President's Perspective 4 Lest We Forget 8 Conexiones 9 Conversations with God 36 One Voice 38 On The Edge 39 FEATURES EVANGELISM Sharing Our Hope 10 15 Telling God’s Stories 12 Faith and Medical Care Partnership With God 37 By Julie Busch LIFESTYLE Family Focus 6 19 Alive & Well 7 The Gospel and Mental Health By David Sedlacek CURRENT MATTERS AdventHealth 23 Andrews University 24 News 25 Mileposts 31 Announcements 34 Classifieds 35 Calendar of Events 35 The Lake Union Herald (ISSN 0194-908X) is published monthly ADDRESS CORRECTION Only paid subscribers (see below) should contact the Lake Union Herald office with their address (except for January/February, June/July and November/ changes. Members should contact their local church clerks directly for all Lake Union Herald address changes. Contact December) by the Lake Union Conference, P.O. Box 287, phone numbers and our mailing address are listed below for your convenience. Online submissions can be made at Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Periodicals postage https://www.lakeunionherald.com/contact. paid at Berrien Springs, Michigan, and additional mailing Lake Union Herald office: 269-473-8242 Michigan: 517-316-1552 offices. Yearly subscription price is $12.50. Vol. 113, No. 5. Lake Region: 773-846-2661 Indiana: 317-844-6201 ext. 241 POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: Lake Union Herald, Illinois: 630-856-2860 Wisconsin: 920-484-6555 P. O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Members outside the Lake Union may subscribe by sending a check for $12.50 (per year) to P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Note: If you are a member of a church in the Lake Union but are not receiving the Lake Union Herald, please request it through your church clerk or local conference secretary. Visit LakeUnionHerald.org JUNE/JULY 2021 3 PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE What Makes Adventism Adventist? Is it our penchant for wholistic living that causes us to live as many as 7 to 10 years longer than we would if we didn’t have our health-transforming, Bible-informed, plant-based, dietary plan the world is now discovering? Is it our many doctrines we hold so dear, especially and teacher respectively, innovation abounds in all that the Sabbath, State of the Dead, Sanctuary, Spirit of we do. Our organizations and institutions rise on the Prophecy and Second Coming of Jesus? Or is it our thermals of God’s grace even as we individually also ex- linear view of the Great Controversy theme which cel in agriculture, private business philanthropy, entre- helps us understand the prophetic timeline that begins preneurship, government and in the corporate setting. with the crafting of the plan of redemption to the res- Is it because all of our institutions globally are toration of mankind to face-to-face communion with interconnected? A healthcare leader of another faith God? Is it our laser-like focus on end-time events as community recently said, “We have a lot to learn E Maurice Valentine informed by the Three Angels of Revelation 14 that tell from you in the way that you work so closely togeth- us what milestones to look for on this timeline, helping er.” Today’s corporations and franchises turn out us know what’s soon to come on all mankind? Is it the high-quality products because they maintain high faithfulness of our lay-leaders and members? Could it standards and quality controls for all of their wares be the tremendous burden we have to practice prayer, and outlets that represent their brand. I’ve noticed the study God’s Word, and share our faith? same is true of our many institutions. Because we have Is it our organization and institutions? As for orga- core values that leaders are admonished to attain to in nization, through the dedication of missionaries, our every institution, our level of high-quality delivery of message has reached around the globe in less than health, educational, publishing, media, and church level 150 years. As for institutions, in 11 years of service as training and products causes us in many respects to be a church administrator, I have been honored to sit on recognized by our friends in the public arena who say, many boards, every one of them doing nothing less “You have something special.” than extraordinary work. Just from following God’s There’s not a board meeting I’ve left where I blueprint for Christian education, we are blessed to haven’t been absolutely inspired at the grace of God have what are likely some of most committed people as demonstrated by how He has filled the leadership on the planet running these institutions. ranks in each institution with visionary, creative, in- And how does a church so young have one of the novative, dedicated, committed and inspiring leaders. largest religious education and healthcare delivery sys- Repeatedly, I leave these meetings saying to myself, tems in the world? As I look at where our people land in “Wow, look at what God hath wrought!” places of employ — be they blue-collar or white-collar But what is our product? workers because all are co-laborers with Christ who was Our product is the proclamation of the gospel in both a blue-collar and white-collar worker, carpenter the context of the Three Angels’ Messages which 4 JUNE/JULY 2021 Visit LakeUnionHerald.org is transported by the wavelength of God’s grace as it’s clear that those who sidestep the Mark of the demonstrated by His giving His only Son, Jesus. In Beast are those who do His commandments. Lastly, other words, we have much more than a product — this powerful prophetic book concludes with Blessed we have a Person! What makes Adventism Adventist? are they that do His commandments. (Rev. 22:14). Our It’s Jesus! He’s central to all we do. That’s what is name, Adventist, implies a great love of Jesus and a Adventist about Adventism. Because of His equali- yearning for His return. ty with God and equality with man, in the heavenly Our doctrines are Christocentric, but it is keeping Sanctuary scene of Revelation, He’s the only One that Jesus’ commandments from a heart of love that makes can open the book sealed with seven seals. us the most Christ-centered movement on earth. You may retort, but every church in Christendom While the enemy would have the world believe we are has the same thing we do. Our hymns are Christ- working our way to heaven because he doesn’t want centered, but so are theirs. Our liturgy is Christ- others to attain this love for Jesus, I’m glad to be a centered, but so is theirs. Our institutions are commandment-keeper because I love Jesus. I’m so Christ-centered, but so are theirs. Is it really a grateful He died for me. Keeping His commandments Christ-centered message that sets us apart? I respond is the least I can do to please Him.